It was easy to deliver the pole back at the edge of the main streets. The guards hardly paid attention to a young girl, especially the daughter of Hans Seahealm. It was not like Father was famous in town because  people know to leave the man, who married the daughter of a witch alone. I left it in a spot and they found their special pole.  Inky at my feet, I  swiftly return to  home. I ran along the pathway out of town towards the farm. 

The sunlight sinking low as the shadow people popped in and out of sight in the woods. They muttered every now and then to Inky and I greetings. I learned it best to give quick nods. It is something I gained from Granny's wisdom. Don't linger in the woods too long alone with the fair folk. But don't forget your matters, for they run the woods. It is best to remain polite, but prudent not to stop and stare.

I came along the well worn path.  I run along just to arrive as Romont hangs the lit lanterns for nightfall. He laughed, "You seem to be in a great hurry. Is it because you heard Grandma Olga and Grandpa Arron Seawhelm are here?"

"Oh no! Don't tell me ... Are they stay over for the next couple of nights? Let me guess the celebration of Grandpa Seawhelm's birthday."

"Good you haven't forgotten. Come on, we need to get inside before it gets any later. You know Grandma Olga and Grandpa Arron don't like to be kept waiting," Romont smiled, "By the way, you are all sweaty and look like you rolled around on the forest floor. What happened to you?"

"I was in a hurry after work today, but Inky ran off to the forest. I had to hunt him down and bring him back. It is just after I found him I was very later, that is all," I shrugged and marched inside the door. Hair full of leaves or not. I would face Grandparents Seahelm. I would not have it any other way.

Romont retorted as we go in, "But the cat could find his way back home easily. I mean you know you are not allowed to wander off to-"

"I will not have my grandchildren roaming about like wild cattle! You ought to keep both of them in a trade school!" Grandma Olga snapped with her forever frowning face. She was a plump woman in her winter years. Grandma Olga Seawhelm's rusty hair was braided tightly into a bun on top of her head. Her rough spun dress of dark navy was covered over by a brown traveling cloak. Her hands were wrapped around a steaming hot cup of milk. The bitter smell of onion filled the room from the kitchen. It was always Grandma Olga's specialty dishes, which she always made while visiting. Grandma Olga believed onion soup could purify the soul. It saved her son from the witch that was Granny Willow. How our parents managed to ever married is beyond me.

The kitchen holds our parents and the Seawhelms. Grandma Ogla had her disapproving stare upon me. The old wrinkled man with a twinkle in his eye was Grandfather Aaron Seawhelm. His face was sunned and dried from his many trading adventures along the coastline for goods. Grandfather Aaron licked his lips in thought. His clothing was clearly pressed and cleaned by Grandma Olga recently. The fine cotton shirt and coat were without a single speck of dirt. Grandfather's shoes were remarkably polished, despite the dust from the road outside. Grandfather Aaron held a pipe up to his lips.

 He thoughtfully huffed, "Olga, we must respect Hans's and Marigold's choices. Our grandchildren are healthy and well kept. What else could we ask of the Light God?"

"Blah! Aaron! You spoiled your own son with his life! We should at least try and protect the children!" Grandma Olga snarled.

Mom nodded silently as she tended to the bread. She narrowed her eyes to Father. It was a strange family understanding. I never did ask Mom how she conceived the whole town she disowned the old ways of Granny Willow to follow the Light God. The whole background of being linked to the local witch had been escaped. 

Father was tending the fireplace with fresh wood. He rolled his eyes and smiled to himself. He simply said, "Mother, we have more to worry about then the children being messy."

Grandma Olga folded her arm and huffed in her chair, "Well, come look at this girl and boy! She has twigs in her hair and the boy is no better! He is covered in mud!"

"Olga, darling, we are on a farm. The children will get dirty doing their chores," Grandpa Aaron laughed.

"You should hire servants to do all the work! The children ought to be in school all day!" Grandma Olga snorted.

Mom said, "We are not rich like nobles, Grandma Olga. We must live by trade like our neighbors. It is good to have goals for the children, but we must not forget our limits."

"Blah! Hans! You must make more money to support these children!" Grandma Olga frowned.

Papa finished with the fire, "If the Light God has willed it, it will be done. However, my path is one of hard work and trade just as my father before me."

With a puff of his pipe, Grandpa Aaron smirked, "It is true Olga, when we wed I was poor, but you still had me. Hans learned well from me. There is nothing wrong with children working hard."

Mom drifted by me and plucked away the twigs from my hair. She motioned for me to wash up. I waved hastily to my grandparents. I planted a kiss on Grandpa Aaron's cheek as he puffed away. He hugged me tenderly and smiled. Grandma Olga hissed on her complaints as I came by and give her a quick kiss on the forehead. 

Romont nodded to Mom as she hurried about the kitchen. Romont greeted both of our grandparents with an embrace each. He received a thousand questions like if he has a girlfriend, how are his hunting skills, was he considering to become a monk, and so on. I passed by the lion's den of my grandparents without notice. I headed over to the washing basin. Mama whispered to me as I put on my apron, "Sweets, how was the tailor shop today?"

"Fine, Mom," I nodded.

"Get the fruit from the cabinet and set it out. Please put the table in order. We will be eating soon," Mom sliced into the bread.

I settled the table and  I placed the cups on the table. Grandma Olga continued to go on about her personal opinions. Grandpa Aaron smirked to himself as continued to puff on his pipe. Father shook  his head at Grandma Olga's endless words. Brother comes by and drops off the butter knives. He silently looked over at our grandparents and whispered, "It is like this every time."

I shrugged, "I don't know why. You think they would have tired about talking about what we should be doing with ourselves."

Romont straightened the knives, "Grandpa Aaron seems to get it now. I mean he even goes over to Granny Willow's sometimes. It seems after that time... when you know..."

"Yes, yes, I know. After I got hurt and Granny's friend, Master Elmer, saved me. I know. Grandpa Aaron seems to be a lot more flexible," I muttered.

Mom swooped in with the main platter, "We are suppose to be getting ready for dinner. If you are both done with setting up, Romont, call over your grandparents. Serenity, you ought to find a seat."

We sat down and ate our food. No discussion of drifting, fairies, herbs, wizards, or knights. It was all about the capital city. Oh thank the Light God for this or that. It all went on for forever. Grandpa Aaron smiled as he joyfully ate his meal with his own thoughts. Grandma Olga talked off Mom's ear. Then came the dessert, pumpkin muffins, Grandma Aaron's favorite. As Mom hands them out to everyone, Father took out a wrapped gift and hands it to grandpa. Grandpa Aaron nods thanks to Father, "Ah from you and the miss, I assume."

"Marigold's fine handy work, I just went to the market to get the materials," Father beamed.

Grandpa Aaron revealed a fine woolen cap of brown. He proudly placed it on his head, "Thank you, Hans and Marigold!"

Romont quietly took something out of his pocket. He placed it in Grandpa Aaron's hands. It was a rough wooden whistle of a bird. Grandpa Aaron played with it, "Romont, it sounds good! You could become a carpenter!"

"Ah, his hunting skills are coming along grand. The other day he caught a deer with Hans! Romont was working on tanning the hid for you," Mom added.

"Really, a hid for me? I cannot wait for it," Grandpa Aaron smiled.

Grandma Olga rolled her eyes, "I bet he didn't finish it on time because it got ruined." 

"Now Olga," Grandpa Aaron patted her shoulder, "Try to be nice. There is no reason to be so harsh."

"My one and only son decides to marry a reformed harlot-"

"Mother!" Father stands up, "Come let us speak outside! I wish to have a word with you!"

Mom narrowed her eyes and ducked back into the kitchen. I watched as Grandma Olga and Father leave for outside of the house. Romont dutifully followed Mama to the kitchen to assist with the dishes. Grandpa Aaron shook his head. It was just like every time. Grandma Olga spoke boldly and it ended up hurting someone's feelings. 

Grandpa Aaron lifted up his pumpkin muffin and turned to me. I stared down at my own plate. The muffin untouched and milk still left in its container. I drummed my hands on the chair as Inky came by. The cat mewed and dropped a small bundle of herbs in my hand, a gift to be sure from the fair folk. They must have realized before I did that I left my gift back at Granny Willow's. I intended to give him tea. The herbs were Goddess Breath. I paused in thought. I say, "Happy birthday, Grandpa."

"Thank you, my little imp," He weakly smirked, "What wild flowers have you for me now?"

"It is an herb that Granny Willow told me could cure almost any illness," I nodded.

"I will be sure to make good use of this next time I have a cold," Grandpa Aaron chuckled, "Ah, my little imp, I love your family. You all always give me useful things unlike your Aunt Hilda. Her merchant husband and she think that I could use silks and paintings. I ask you, Serenity, do I look like a man for paintings and silks?"

I laughed, "No, Grandpa Aaron."

"Yea, that's what I thought," Grandpa Aaron held the herbs, "Do you think when Grandma Olga and I go back to the capital you would like to come? I know of some good spice and herb shop in the city there."

"I would be delighted, Grandpa!" I said with a clap of my hands. I have not been outside of Noble Wolf and the forest all my life.

Grandpa Aaron smiled, "It could be useful, too. Maybe you could help Granny Willow get trade out there?"

"Yes, I am sure she would be happy to get new trade partners!" Grandpa Aaron studied my face, "Serenity, you are getting older soon, huh?"

"Yes, Grandpa, I will be thirteen in the next spring!"

"You have nearly learned all your trade for tailoring and herbology, no?"

"Almost! I have to learn some more on needle work, but if I keep at it in the next year I should be able to lead my own shop with Cindy's help. Granny Willow thinks I could really work well in the tea shop soon."

"Would it make you happy to work in either shop, my little imp? You seem like you really love the outdoors," Grandpa Aaron pulled a stray piece of leave from my hair.

"I don't mind too much. Granny Willow's shop provides me with chances to be outside and gather herbs."

"Hmm."

"Why do you ask, Grandpa?"

"My little imp, I support your family's choice to raise you as they see fit. I think it unusual for a girl of your class to be locked into work. But I don't think marriage would suit you well. I have started to think with what fortune I have, I could support your efforts to open your own tea shop in the capital. You and Granny Willow could work together. I could back you," Grandpa Aaron tenderly smirked.

"What... Grandpa... Mom and Grandma Olga would not be happy!? They would want me to try and see a matchmaker when I am of age!"

"Serenity, you are not the usual type of girl. It is true your brother is being groomed to be a hunter. You, however, have been different over the last few years. I feel I owe much to Granny Willow and Master Elmer, as well as your parents for your up bring," Grandpa Aaron stared at the herbs, "You have natural talents, my little imp. More than the people here can explore... You could become a nun, a trader, a wife, a tea seller, it is up to you. But my little imp, I wanted to let you know I have your back. Me and your father, we have understood for a long time that you are different."

"Grandpa?"

"Your Mama hates to admit, but since you children were born townspeople whisper. It is not hard to see why your mother tries so hard to make you normal," Grandpa Aaron held brother's whistle, "Consider my offer, Serenity, I want to be sure you are happy. Your Mom and your grandmothers will all have plans for you. But, my little imp, don't forget you have choices. You and your brother have so many choices. When you need help with that choice, I will be here for you."

"Grandpa, what could I possibly say-"

Mom came back to move away Inky. Romont gently ushered the dishes in the kitchen. Mom huffed as she forced a smile at Grandpa Aaron. She declared, "Now, don't forget in the morning is the service for the Light God."

"You know, Marigold, I heard there was a big fuss at the temple today. It would seem something was taken from it. I heard claims it was one of the fair folk," Grandpa Aaron laughed.

"What childish thoughts are those!? I bet it was just a beggar child," Mom shrugged and sat down.

"Marigold, I was talking to Serenity about possibly visiting the capital when Grandma Olga and I head back. Do you think it would be a good idea? She could see the temples of the Light God. She could even see the palace of the Emperor," Grandpa said.

"We would have to send an escort with her. Romont would have to go to..." Mom trails off in thought, "We are in the slow season for hunting now..."

"I will be sure to watch them the whole time," Grandpa took a bite of his muffin.

"But they might get in your way!"

"Nonsense! Olga and I could use some youthful company. Besides, the children could spend time with Aunt Hilda, Uncle Simon, and James. When is the last time they have visited?"

"It has been a while..."

"Ah, good. We can talk it over with Han, then? I think it would be good for their education," Grandpa Aaron nodded.